Archive for the ‘Alfa Romeo’ Category

Alfa Romeo’s plan to bring the back the 8C nameplate has come with a lot of speculation about its presentation. The prevalent buzz surrounding the model is that it’s going to be a supercar of some sort. As it turns out, though, it could be more than just a supercar. The new Alfa Romeo 8C could be an 800-horsepower hybrid monster, debunking previous rumors that said that it would “only” have 700 horsepower on tap.

Prepare for a big jolt! Well, if you are an Alfa fan, that is. The hot new NRING edition of the Alfa romeo Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) have received their price tag in the UK market, and they are mahoosive. The sedan starts from £82,500 and the SUV from £89,500.

That’s a lot of money to pay for any Alfa sedan or SUV, but you have to take into account the NRING models are limited editions that come with some really cool bells and whistles. Alfa is making on 108 units of each car for this region, celebrating the historic bond between Alfa Romeo and the legendary German track, the Nurburgring.

You are probably familiar with the specs of both the Giulia QV and the Stelvio QV (both powered by a 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo generating 510 horsepower). So let us tell you about what kind of goodies the NRING treatment brings to the table. The main highlights on both cars include carbon-ceramic brakes, Sparco racing seats with red stitching and carbon shell structure, gear stick with carbon insert by MOPAR® and leather and Alcantara steering wheel with carbon inserts.

You also get carbon fiber grille, mirror caps and side skirts, tinted windows, Adaptive Cruise Control, the Harman Kardon premium audio package, and Alfa Connect 3D Nav infotainment system with 8.8-inch’ screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB. And of course, there is that cool frozen grey paint job which is what’s really set these bad boys apart. Each car also comes with a 1:18 scale model and a Sparco gift basket featuring racing gloves and customised soft shell jacket, sports bag in the Alfa Romeo pattern, Quadrifoglio cuff-links and original footwear created by Car Shoe.

Rumors about Alfa Romeo planning to make a two-door coupe version of the Giulia surfaced the web as soon as the sporty sedan hit the market. It took the Italian firm about two years to confirm that a coupe is indeed underway, but not everything is as we expected. To be more specific, Alfa Romeo will use a coupe to revive the GTV nameplate.

Not only that, but it will be offered as a Quadrifoglio that will be more powerful than the Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan. To top things off, it will have a mild hybrid drivetrain and an all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring. The coupe will most likely arrive in 2020 when the Giulia sedan should have already received its mid-cycle facelift. Let’s find out more about what it may bring to the table in the speculative review below.

The Alfa Romeo 8c is returning after an eight-year absence, and it’s going to look and perform a lot differently than its limited-run predecessor. Early plans inside Alfa Romeo indicate that the new 8C is being packaged as a 700-horsepower supercar that will be able to compete against the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. There’s no timetable yet on when the new 8C will arrive, but it should make its way into our lives before 2022, at least if it ends up happening.

The Alfa Romeo 8c is returning after an eight-year absence, and it’s going to look and perform a lot differently than its limited-run predecessor. Early plans inside Alfa Romeo indicate that the new 8C is being packaged as a 700-horsepower supercar that will be able to compete against the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. There’s no timetable yet on when the new 8C will arrive, but it should make its way into our lives before 2022, at least if it ends up happening.

You think pretty looks are enough to keep a model alive? Ask Alfa Romeo that, and you’ll get a loud, resounding ’No’! Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has confirmed to Autocar that the Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé’s future in the U.S. is in question; however, the 4C Spider will continue to live on. Now, was this because of Alfa Romeo’s stubbornness to not give customers what they want, or was it just an under-par car?

You think pretty looks are enough to keep a model alive? Ask Alfa Romeo that, and you’ll get a loud, resounding ’No’! Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has confirmed to Autocar that the Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé’s future in the U.S. is in question; however, the 4C Spider will continue to live on. Now, was this because of Alfa Romeo’s stubbornness to not give customers what they want, or was it just an under-par car?

Many people believe that the car makers the world over should stop developing their cars at the Nurburgring. The reason is the Nurburgring malarkey invariably results in hard-core cars that are really fast on the race track, but atrocious to drive on the real world. Car makers are not listening though. In fact, there are no more ‘Ring edition models than any time before, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia NRING being only two of the very latest.

These limited edition models celebrate Alfa’s relationship with the German track, a relationship that includes a fastest lap record for the Stelvio. They are limited to 108 cars each, and each come with exclusive exterior and interior appointment to show-off their superiority to the standard models. That superiority, though, is only superficial. Under the skin Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia NRING Edition are both based on the QV model with the same 510 HP and torque of 600 Nm.

Not that that’s too little. But it would have been nice if the Nurburgring edition of the Stelvio and Giulia QV had more power. At any rate, the NRING Alfas are still pretty enticing propositions. They come with a bespoke Circuito Grey paint job and feature carbon fiber dashboard plaque with the number of the car etched on it. Naturally, the cars are full option, boasting carbon-ceramic brakes, Sparco racing seats with red stitching and carbon shell structure, Mopar automatic transmission knob with carbon insert, leather and Alcantara steering wheel, also with carbon inserts, tinted windows, Adaptive Cruise Control, the Harman Kardon premium audio package, and the Alfa Connect 3D Nav infotainment system with 8.8” screen.

Alfa Romeo has created a truly premium, complete, superlative brand experience for the 216 purchasers of the Giulia Quadrifoglio “NRING” and Stelvio Quadrifoglio “NRING” Nürburgring Limited Editions. The purchasing experience begins even in the run-up to delivery, as the car’s arrival is preceded by consignment of a numbered model to scale 1:18. There is another surprise in store when the car is collected: on board, the purchaser will find the Welcome Kit, comprising Sparco® racing gloves and customised soft shell jacket, sports bag in the Alfa Romeo pattern, “Quadrifoglio” cuff-links and the original footwear created by Car Shoe, Alfa Romeo licensee for a “Quadrifoglio” capsule collection. In leather and technical fabric, the shoes are inspired by race boot design and carry the symbol that most effectively embodies the Alfa Romeo brand’s highest performances. And there’s more: all Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio “NRING” and Giulia Quadrifoglio “NRING” owners will be able to attend, during 2019, a sports driving technique course on the Nürburgring circuit. A specific telephonic concierge service will assist NRING customers throughout their Alfa Romeo experience.

UP Design – that is, Umberto Palermo Design – has released a unique Alfa Romeo 4C Facelift one-off that could be the next-gen 4C we will probably never get. They have applied design cues from more modern Alfas to the 4C‘s dainty and sexy body, and the end result is nothing short of spectacular. They call is the Alfa Romeo Mole Construction Artisan 001.

This is, we think, what the 4C should have looked like since the beginning. UP’s Alfa Romeo 4C Facelift features a Giulia-like face with those cool headlights and Alfa’s traditional grille made more prominent and accentuated with a large under spoiler. The side profile of the car remains largely intact, save for more dynamic skirts and revised quarter panels and pillars thanks to the new engine cover. That leads us to the back where the most changes have taken place. Here you get a new fascia, taillights, the retro-inspired engine cover, and the 8C-like bumper and tailpipe arrangement.

The shoddy interior of the standard car is upgraded in UP’s Alfa Romeo 4C Facelift by Adler who has wrapped pretty much everything in high quality carbon fiber featuring a two-tone color scheme in black and tan with contrast stitching. The plastic switch gear, too, has been replaced with what appears to be polished aluminium, although theycould be silver painted plastic, we’re not sure! The tuner’s coachbuilder has not mentioned anything about a performance upgrade, but then again, that is one department the standard 4C does not need any modifications. The sports car has a 270-hp 1.75 turbocharged four-pot with plenty of grunt.

Last week, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled a massive four-year plan for all the auto brands belonging to the American automaker. There were a lot of announcements involving brands like Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, RAM, and Maserati. Some of the announcements were expected, but there were also some announcements that left a lot of people surprised and excited for what’s to come. All in all, more than 25 new vehicles are being planned over the next four years, including the five models that we’re most excited to see.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider came in 2016 to pair the nimbleness and spunkiness of the 4C Coupe with the benefit of unlimited headroom. Of course, it didn’t come with its flaws, which included a weight gain of some 130 pounds thanks to structure changes required to keep the car structurally sound. It got its own look around back and even came complete with an elevated, carbon fiber roll bar behind the seats. It’s powered by a 1.75-liter four-cylinder that’s good for 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque – enough to get it to 60 mph in less than five seconds on the way to a top speed of 130 mph. Those are the fastest figures in the world, but they are fast enough for a car this size. Either way, it’s a sexy little beast, and we find it as the perfect addition to our Wallpaper of the Day Collection. Go ahead and download our hand-picked favorite or slide on down to the gallery below for more great wallpaper choices.

Five years since its introduction, the Alfa Romeo 4C is still alive and kicking. The sports car even got a prime placement at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show courtesy of a pair of special edition models, one of which is called the Alfa Romeo 4C Competizione. The special edition 4C is the recipient of model-specific styling cues that separate it from its standard counterparts. By virtue of its status, only 108 units of the 4C Competizione will be available to the public.

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé Competizione Exterior

“The special edition 4C gets plenty of styling upgrades, none more striking than its Vesuvius Grey exterior paint finish and the dual racing stripes that run the length of the car”

For the most part, the Alfa Romeo 4C’s styling hasn’t changed much since it was introduced in 2013. That isn’t much of an issue because the 4C remains one of the most attractive sports cars on the market today. That said, major updates are reportedly in store for the sports car this year so that’s something we can all look forward to.

In the meantime, the Alfa Romeo 4C Competizione — and the 4C Italia, for that matter — gets our attention. The special edition 4C gets plenty of styling upgrades, none more striking than its Vesuvius Grey exterior paint finish and the dual racing stripes that run the length of the car. I didn’t think racing stripes would look good on the 4C and yet, here I am, drooling over the Competizione special edition. The upgrades don’t end there, either.

Thanks to its status, the 4C Competition also gets plenty of premium equipment that comes standard with the model. The carbon fiber roof is now standard. Same thing with the rear spoiler, which also happens to be made from carbon fiber goodness. The mirror caps are also made from carbon fiber, as are the side air vents and the headlight moldings.

The 4C Competizione’s exterior upgrades conclude with a carbon-trimmed Akrapovich exhaust, red brake calipers, and a new set of dark-finish, five-spoke wheels that measure 18 inches in the front and 19 inches at the back.

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé Competizione Interior

Inside, you’ll be treated with a heavy dose of leather covering most of the cabin surface. Microfiber seats have also been added and, to make sure that everybody knows that this car is limited, the obligatory numbered badge and aluminum “Competition” plaque can be seen on the central tunnel.

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé Competizione Performance

“The 4C is still capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds before peaking at a top speed of 160 mph.”

Unfortunately, neither the 4C Competition nor the 4C Italia benefit from any engine upgrades. That means that both special edition models still get the same 1.75-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder unit that pumps out 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Not that we’re complaining because as it is, the 4C is still capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds before peaking at a top speed of 160 mph.

Combine that ability with its special edition styling, and you can see why heads are turning at the sight of the 4C Competition in Geneva.

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé Competizione Availability

Alfa Romeo has yet to announce when the special edition 4C will hit the market, but given its limited numbers — only 108 will be available — don’t expect the model to stay on the market long.

Once among the greatest auto companies in the world, Alfa Romeo began to struggle in the 1980s. And needless to say, the 1990s and 2000s weren’t exactly great either. But the Italians regrouped and launched the 4C, thus regaining some of its past glory. The Giulia joined in to give Alfa Romeo its much-needed performance sedan, but the FCA-owned brand also jumped on the SUV bandwagon and introduced the Stelvio. Put into production 2016, the Stelvio also gained the famed Quadrifoglio package and went on to set a new lap record for SUVs on the iconic Nurburgring track. To celebrate the event, Alfa Romeo created the Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nurburgring Edition, an extremely limited version of the performance hauler.

Currently the fastest production SUV around the Nurburgring, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio lapped the German track in seven minutes and 51.7 seconds. The tribute model comes in the same specs as the vehicle that set the record, but with a few extras on top. It’s also limited to only 108 units, one for each year that passed since Alfa Romeo was established in Milan, Italy. Let’s find out what the Nurburgring Edition brings to the table in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Alfa Romeo
Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nürburgring Edition.

What makes the Alfa Romeo
Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nürburgring Edition special

Carbon-fiber badge

Carbon-fiber side skirt inserts

Tinted windows

Sparco racing seats

Mopar gearshift knob

Leather/Alcantara steering wheel

Mopar floor mats

Turbo, 2.9-liter V-6

505 horsepower

443 pound-feet of torque

Only 108 units made

“Add-ons are almost absent on the outside, as they include just a few carbon-fiber bits”

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio Nurburgring Edition may not seem that special on the outside, but that’s because Alfa Romeo wanted to keep the SUV as simple as possible. Add-ons are almost absent on the outside, as they include just a few carbon-fiber bits, like the front badge, the mirror caps, and the side skirt inserts. Oh, and it has tinted windows for a sportier look and enhanced privacy. Unfortunately, the SUV doesn’t get the bare carbon-fiber roof from the Giulia Quadrifoglio Nurburgring Edition.

More new features can be found on the inside, where Alfa Romeo added Sparco racing seats with carbon-fiber shell structure and red stitching, as well as a Mopar gearshift knob with carbon-fiber insert. The steering wheel is unique too, featuring leather and Alcantara, and carbon-fiber inserts. The Mopar-made floor mats have red logos. Convenience features are pretty much similar to the regular model. Highlights include active cruise control, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, the Alfa Connect 3D Nav infotainment system with 8.8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and DAB.

“Under the hood, the Nurburgring Edition is equipped with the same 2.9-liter V-6 as the regular Stelvio Quadrifoglio”

Under the hood, the Nurburgring Edition is equipped with the same 2.9-liter V-6 as the regular Stelvio Quadrifoglio model. But this doesn’t make it mundane, as the biturbo mill co-developed with Ferrari cranks out a solid 510 PS and 600 Nm of torque (505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet). Charging from 0 to 62 mph takes only 3.8 seconds while top speed goes as high as 283 kph (176 mph). All the power goes to the wheels through an automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The carbon-ceramic brakes provide the necessary stopping power.

Production is limited to 108 units, one for each year of the history of Alfa Romeo. The brand says that this model is for collectors and the most loyal customers, so buying one might be an issue. Considering that the limited run isn’t sold out already.

The wait for the official price of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is over. The Italian automaker has announced pricing details for the performance SUV, and it’s not cheap. If you want one, you’re going to have to pay at least $79,995 to go home with what Alfa describes as the “world’s fastest SUV.” Throw in the destination fee of $1,595 and the total cost shoots up to $81,590. And, if you’re looking for options, well, at that point, your mileage and the subsequent price of the SUV will vary.

“If you want one, you’re going to have to pay at least $79,995 to go home with what Alfa describes as the “world’s fastest SUV.””

The announced price is a little steeper than a lot of us probably expected, but it is in line with how much some of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s rivals cost. The Porsche Macan Turbo, for example, can cost as much as $87,495 if you attach a Performance Package to it. Even then, the Porsche still owes 65 horsepower to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio even at that price.

Likewise, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S is priced at around $80,000. It has roughly the same amount of power — 503 horsepower — as the 505-horsepower Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The only difference is that, unlike the Stelvio, the Macan Turbo and the AMG GLC 63 S are established performance models from established automakers that have been in the crossover and SUV business for a long time. The Stelvio, on the other hand, is Alfa Romeo’s first-ever SUV. Is it worth spending that much on a first-timer?

Evidently, and quite predictably, Alfa Romeo boss Tim Kuniskis believes that it is. “We specifically crafted the Stelvio Quadrifoglio to truly set itself apart among high-performance vehicles, and it does not disappoint – whether being driven on the Nürburgring or on roads across North America,” he said in a statement. “Equipped with the most powerful Alfa Romeo engine ever and our advanced Q4 all-wheel-drive system, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio roars to life with an exhilarating driving experience.”

It’s hard to blame Alfa Romeo for settling into this price point for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Dropping its price below the Macan Turbo may have some advantages, but it’s not going to build the kind of attachment most high-priced vehicles get from their owners.

I think it’s a fair price for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. All it has to do now is to live up to its end of the deal and become the high-performance SUV it’s been hyped to be.

A lot of people question the point of a SUV that is faster than most sports car, but sucks at anything remotely utilitarian. Nevertheless, this class of vehicles are in demand these years, and here’s one of the fastest and most affordable ones you can buy. The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio has an MSRP of just $79,995, excluding a destination fee of $1,595.

I know that’s a lot of money, but when you consider the specs of this thing, and how much you have to pay for a German equivalent, then 80 grand doesn’t sound too bad. 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (QV) boasts a Ferrari-tuned 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with 505 horsepower,mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in an estimated 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 176 mph. And it has lapped the Nürburgring in a record time 7 minutes 51.7. So I think the message here is pretty clear. This SUV is effing fast.

On the other hand, should you need to climb mildly steep hill in the Quadrifoglio – it is an SUV, after all – it might struggle a bit. And don’t even think about towing anything because it doesn’t come with a hitch. Also, and we realize looks are subjective, but we think the Stelvio is very ugly.

Model-specific features of the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio are as follows:

The Alfa Romeo 4C has had a turbulent life. It started on a high note when it was introduced in 2013. But since then, the 4C has had an up-and-down existence. Some people swore by its looks and handling, while others were dismayed by its lack of over-the-top power. Five years later, the 4C remains a resilient presence in its segment. Sales have tapered off, but Alfa has no plans of discontinuing the model. On the other hand, don’t expect it to get stamped with the company’s Quadrifoglio badge, either. The Alfa Romeo 4C will remain as it is, though a possible update is in the cards soon.

“The Alfa Romeo 4C isn’t going to get a Quadrifoglio version because the sports coupe doesn’t need on”

Pieter Hogeveen, Director of Alfa Romeo North America, recently spoke with GTSpirit to talk about the state of the 4C. According to Hogeveen, the Alfa Romeo 4C isn’t going to get a Quadrifoglio version because the sports coupe doesn’t need one. “It stands on its own as a performance car, so there’s really no need to Quadrifoglio-ize it”, he said. “It’s already the best in its class.”

I admire Hogenveen’s faith in the 4C, but I wouldn’t go out on a limb and call it the “best in its class.” It’s a worthy contender for that title, but it does belong in a segment that also includes a standout like the Porsche Cayman and an up-and-coming contender in the form of the Alpine A110. The latter, in fact, is getting all sorts of positive reviews. It’s also scheduled to hit the market this year, so that’s one more 4C rival Alfa Romeo needs to consider.

That’s not to say that the 4C is going to get buried because Alfa does have big plans for it in the future. Hogeveen just isn’t revealing anything to satisfy our curiosities. “Beyond that, I’m not at liberty to say,” he added.

“The 4C Quadrifoglio is out of the question, but some meaningful updates are still coming”

So if you were looking forward to an Alfa Romeo 4C Quadrifoglio, don’t expect to see one anytime soon. There is that possibility that Hogeveen is playing coy and giving us a taste of misdirection, but the more likely scenario is that he’s telling the truth. The 4C Quadrifoglio is out of the question, but some meaningful updates are still coming. His sentiment was echoed last month by the company’s engineering boss, Roberto Fedeli, who told Autocar that Alfa wants to turn the 4C into a “proper sports car that can serve as one of the company’s halo models.”

So that’s something that we can look forward to. The Alfa Romeo 4C Quadrifoglio appears to be out of the cards, but if the scheduled update lives up to our expectations, it may not need a QV badge at all.

Alfa Romeo is making a comeback in the U.S. – and a rather strong one, at that. We’ve had the 4C sports coupe for a few years now, but it was the Giulia sedan in 2017 and this, the Stelvio crossover in 2018, that are bringing the Italian automaker to the American masses. Well, after spending a week with the Stelvio, I can say Alfa has done a fantastic job building a competitive crossover that butts heads against Germans like the Audi Q5,Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Porsche Macan.

Last year, I sampled the Giulia Quadrifoglio, the outrageously powerful version with a Ferrari-derived V-6 and two turbochargers stuffed under its carbon fiber bodywork. Not surprisingly, the Stelvio feels very similar to the Giulia, despite my Stelvio tester not having the Quadrifoglio package. And while there are things I really don’t like about the Stelvio (which you can read about in the Four Things I Hate about the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio), there are also some aspects I truly love. So, without further ado, here are four things I love about the 2018 Stelvio.

Continue reading for more information.

4. The Heritage

The Alfa Romeo name is dripping with rich history dating back to 1910. The Italian automaker’s name is actually an acronym combined with Nicola Romeo’s last name, an Italian businessman who bought the company in 1915 and added his name in 1920. Alfa stands for “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili,” or in English, the Lombardy Automobile Factory Corporation. Early success in racing solidified Alfa Romeo as a rightful player in Europe’s budding automotive industry. In fact, Enzo Ferrari rose to fame racing for Alfa Romeo from 1920 to 1939 before leaving to start his own company – a little automaker you might have heard of.

For Americans, Alfa Romero also represents something different yet with that lovable European flair. Alfa isn’t a Mercedes-Benz or Audi or Porsche. They aren’t found in every parking lot in every suburban supermarket. They’re unique – at least for now. If FCA has its way, Alfa Romeo will become just as dominant as the German brands, though Alfa’s got a long way to go. In the meantime, we get to enjoy the exclusivity of Alfa’s new position in the U.S. market.

3. The Looks

“Alfa Romeo’s unique grille design pulls from its heritage; it’s a look that dates back more than 50 years”

Alfa Romeo’s unique grille design pulls from its heritage; it’s a look that dates back more than 50 years. Besides not looking like anything else on the road, it gives the crossover a slick appearance, even when it’s not moving. The sloping hood and bulging front fender help inject athleticism into the Stelvio’s nose. Its steeply raked windshield and sloping roofline mix well with its coke-bottle hips. Out back, the dual exhaust are well-placed within the black and satin chrome lower fascia.

Yet despite its sporty nature, the Stelvio doesn’t forget it’s a crossover. The fenders and rocker panels are lined with black plastic flares and it offers decent ground clearance. Overall, the Stelvio has a healthy mix of SUV and sports car. It’s certainly handsome enough to compete against the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

2. The Handling

“Even when pushed hard into a corner, the Stelvio’s all-season Continental tires hold on without complaint or plowing”

Despite its tallish stance, the Stelvio is extremely nimble on its feet. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the steering is impressively quick. Put on a back road, the Stelvio shows some impressive dance moves. Even when pushed hard into a corner, the Stelvio’s all-season Continental tires hold on without complaint or plowing. It’s pretty impressive, actually.

Of course, there’s a downside. Like I mentioned in my Four Things I Hate about the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio article, the tight steering can make for a darty ride on the interstate. Still, that’s a small trade for an impressively stable crossover. Best of all, my tester is only the Stelvio Sport model. Imagine what the Stelvio Quadrifoglio will drive like!

1. The Powertrain

All non-Quadrifoglio Stelvios in the U.S. are powered by a potent, longitudinally mounted four-cylinder. It’s an all-aluminum 2.0-liter with single-overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder with direct fuel injection squirting in premium fuel. The intercooled, twin-scroll turbocharger then fill the engine with boost for some very stout numbers.

The 2.0-liter turbo-four makes 280 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 306 pound-feet of torque at only 2,000 rpm. The engine revs impressively fast, making its 6,200-rpm redline seem far too low. The turbo spools quickly with very little lag, giving power on request with no hesitation. The throttle can be dialed up to be more sensitive via the Alfa Romeo’s DNA selector knob. The D stands for Dynamic and is where all the fun can be had.

The tried and true ZF eight-speed automatic does the shifting, and boy, does it work well. The transmission shifts nice and smoothly around down with no fuss or jerkiness. Put the DNA selector in D and slap the shifter into manual mode, and the ZF fires off shifts like a dual-clutch! The only thing missing are cracking exhaust blats between shifts.

“Not only does it help when the weather turns sour, but this rear-biased system makes the Stelvio feel lively in the corners”

Behind that is the Stelvio’s Q4 AWD system. Not only does it help when the weather turns sour, but this rear-biased system makes the Stelvio feel lively in the corners. It allows the rear to slightly step out when in Dynamic mode, even with the traction control on. Rotate the DNA knob to the A, or Advanced Efficiency Mode, offers programming better suited for bad weather like heavy rain or in snow. There’s also the N, or Natural Mode, for normal daily driving.

In total, the drivetrain, matched with the tight suspension and steering, make the Stelvio a very capable back roads burner.